AI overview
The viviparous lizard is a small reptile species found across Europe that gives birth to live young rather than laying eggs, making it unusual among lizards. It matters because it's one of the most widespread lizard species in its region and serves as an important indicator of local ecosystem health.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Species
Least ConcernViviparous Lizard
GENUS
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumMollusca
- ClassGastropoda
- OrderArchitaenioglossa
- FamilyViviparidae
Observations34,028
Die Waldeidechse (Zootoca vivipara, Syn.: Lacerta vivipara), auch Bergeidechse oder Mooreidechse genannt, gehört zur Klasse der Reptilien und zur Familie der Echten Eidechsen (Lacertidae). Die neu etablierte Gattung Zootoca ist monotypisch, besteht also nur aus dieser einen Art. Von der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Herpetologie und Terrarienkunde wurde sie 2006 zum Reptil des Jahres gekürt. Damit sollte die „erfolgreichste“ Reptilienart der Welt (gemessen an ihrer weiten Verbreitung) in das öffentliche Bewusstsein gerückt werden.
via GBIF · IUCN
Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- taxon
Article
The viviparous lizard or common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) is a Eurasian lizard. It lives farther north than any other non-marine reptile species, and is named for the fact that it is viviparous, meaning it gives birth to live young (although they will sometimes lay eggs normally). Both "Zootoca" and "vivipara" mean "live birth", in (Latinized) Greek and Latin respectively. It was called Lacerta vivipara until the genus Lacerta was split into nine genera in 2007 by Arnold, Arribas & Carranza.
Zootoca vivipara lives in very cold climates, yet participates in normal thermoregulation instead of thermoconformity. They have the largest range of all terrestrial lizards which even include subarctic regions. It is able to survive these harsh climates as individuals will freeze in especially cold seasons and thaw two months later. They also live closer to geological phenomena that provide a warmer environment for them.